Red

Part 19

Mallery

The court date came and went without a single sign from John. Laura held my hand but made sure the judge not only heard but understood the details of my case. Bucky was there, along with Steve and Tash. Having them support me, stand behind me, made me believe I could face anything.

I was granted a full protection order. John Walker wasn't allowed to have any contact with me whatsoever. He couldn't show up at my work, not that he knew where that was now, or my home. He couldn't abuse, harass, or threaten me. I had extremely high hopes for the future walking out of that courtroom.

"Mallery." Laura, my attorney, pulls me to the side as we all file out of the room. "Here's the deal. John is going to stay away from you for a period of time. He's going to lull you into a false sense of security, then he's going to pop up somewhere or send you something."

"But, he's not allowed to." My eyes search her face, but all I see is earnestness. "Laura, what do you mean?"

She sighs, shifting her briefcase between her hands. "I see it all the time with abusers and narcissists. He wants you to believe you've won, that he won't touch you, talk to you, find you." She grips my shoulder as Bucky approaches us.

"He will. When that happens, you call 911. Then you call me." She sighs again as Bucky pulls me to his side. "We'll press charges and make it a criminal case."

"Don't scare her, Laura. Let her have this win today." Bucky is trying to soothe me, but I need to know the truth.

"I need to know. I already know what he was capable of before." I look up at Bucky, and I see his small nod. "911, and then you. Got it."

"Enjoy this time. You made it over this hurdle, but don't get complacent." Laura smiles once again and moves to walk down the hall.

"Give Clint my best," Bucky calls out to her, and she turns to wave.

"I will. When this is over, we'll have you both out to the house." She stops to talk to Steve and Tash before she disappears out the doors and into the sun.

"How are you feeling?" Bucky always seems to ask the loaded questions, but even after that conversation with Laura, I'm okay.

"I'm hungry," I say with a small giggle.

"Well, let's get something to eat and get back to work." He drags me to our family where Steve pulls me into a hug.

"I'm proud of you," he whispers to me. I pull away and nod.

"Lunch?" I ask, and Tash shakes her head.

"This one is going back to work." She jerks her finger at Steve. "And I'm ready to get home to my little man."

We say our goodbyes while Bucky and I make our way back to the building. Part of me wants to check over my shoulder for the boogeyman, but I take Laura's advice and try to enjoy this moment.

I did win. I won't forget that.

**RED**

August hits with its sweltering temperatures and humid breezes. Bucky and I have settled into a routine at the apartment. I was calling it his home, but he got on my case a little about that. "It's your home as long as you're here, Red." I had a hard time calling it home, so I just started referring to it as "the apartment", and he went along for my sake.

It's a simple routine of work, the apartment, Jersey, dinners, lunches in the city, and learning to be me again. We're boring with our errands and binge watching shows on Netflix. But I love it; I wouldn't trade it for anything. Bucky still goes out with Steve and Tash, still takes me to the gun range, either here in New York or back in Jersey. My paperwork has been cleared, so I'll be abiding by all state laws very soon.